Ex-Mayor Arrested Over 900,000 Baht Mobile Toilet Scam
A former mayor of Khao Sam Yot city in Lop Buri province has been arrested after being implicated in a corruption case involving the purchase of a mobile toilet vehicle, resulting in damages exceeding 900,000 baht.
The arrest took place on March 4, when the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) apprehended Saijai, the former mayor, who was wanted under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for corruption and misconduct. The NACC Region 1 office tracked her down after a lengthy investigation.
While serving as mayor, Saijai allegedly approved the purchase of a four-unit mobile toilet vehicle under Khao Sam Yot municipal order 783/2009, which set up a committee for the procurement. She signed a price inquiry announcement on December 3, 2009, and entered into a sales contract with K. Pitikarn Yotha Limited Partnership in 2010. The financial transactions related to the purchase were reportedly irregular, leading to damages of 925,044.67 baht (US$27,465) to the municipality.
The NACC decided to press criminal charges, forwarding the case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for review. Following the OAG’s initiation of criminal prosecution, Saijai failed to appear in court, raising suspicions that she was attempting to evade capture.
Further investigations revealed that Saijai had been evading arrest within Lop Buri province. Officials tracked her vehicle to a petrol station in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, where she attempted to flee into the restroom after being confronted by authorities. Officers coordinated with local police to secure the area, and Saijai was eventually arrested after being called out of the restroom.
Saijai was taken to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police station for processing and has since been handed over to the public prosecutor for further legal action.
